In the mid-1950s, A&P was the dominant food retailer. In a few markets, A&P had up to 75% of the market share, with stores in 39 states.
The company was first founded in 1859 as The Great American Tea Company by Geroge Huntington Hartford and George Gilman in New York City. It was renamed “The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company” in 1870.
Over the years, in mnay ways the A&P story reflects the story of America (and Canada).
In this conversation, we mark 150 years of A&P by talking with Craig Grybowski of the A&P Historical Society.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Walt Disney’s Railroad Story: A Fascination that Led to A Kingdom
Few people realize the significance railroading played in the evolution of the Disney empire. Encouraged by Walt’s family and railfans inside and outside the Disney organization, Michael Broggie has chronicled the tale of Walt Disney’s personal involvement in railroading.In this conversation, Broggie, author of Walt Disney’s Railroad Story: The Small-Scale Fascination That Led to a Full-Scale Kingdom (Pentrex, 1997) shares with us the private realm of Disney railroading.
Walt Disney’s love affair with trains began in his hometown of Marceline, Missouri. His first job was selling tobacco, candy, and newspapers on the Missouri Pacific line. By 1950, his enthusiasm for realistic model trains had evolved into an elaborate backyard live steam railroad. Walt’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad included a 46-foot-long trestle, loops, overpasses, gradients, an elevated dirt berm, and a 90-foot tunnel underneath Mrs. Disney’s flower bed!
Broggie shares this history and more with us in this discussion.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
Walt Disney’s love affair with trains began in his hometown of Marceline, Missouri. His first job was selling tobacco, candy, and newspapers on the Missouri Pacific line. By 1950, his enthusiasm for realistic model trains had evolved into an elaborate backyard live steam railroad. Walt’s Carolwood Pacific Railroad included a 46-foot-long trestle, loops, overpasses, gradients, an elevated dirt berm, and a 90-foot tunnel underneath Mrs. Disney’s flower bed!
Broggie shares this history and more with us in this discussion.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
The World's Biggest Catsup Bottle
If you’re driving on Route 159 just south of Collinsville, Illinois, you’ll see a water tower in the shpe of a cataup bottle. 170 feet tall, it’s described as the World’s Largest Catsup Bottle.
The water tower has a fascinating story behind it.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the bottle, and they’re celebrating in Collinsville to mark the occasion.
Mike Gassmann joins us from Collinsville to share with us the stories of the World’s Largest Catsup bottle. the first was in 1949 when built. The second in the 1990’s when it was threatened with demolition but the community rallied to save it. the third chapter continues today as the catsup bottle continues to be celebrated.
This conversation is another part of that ongoing celebration.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
The water tower has a fascinating story behind it.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the bottle, and they’re celebrating in Collinsville to mark the occasion.
Mike Gassmann joins us from Collinsville to share with us the stories of the World’s Largest Catsup bottle. the first was in 1949 when built. The second in the 1990’s when it was threatened with demolition but the community rallied to save it. the third chapter continues today as the catsup bottle continues to be celebrated.
This conversation is another part of that ongoing celebration.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Museum of Patriotism
The National Museum of Patriotism in Atlanta recently its new facility downtown.
By its very name, you may think you know what the place is all about.
This shrine to patriotism is a flag-waver, but not in the traditional sense.
We speak with Executive Director Pat Stansbury about the museum, its origins (It was founded by Nicholas Snider, a retired UPS executive who created a large collection of sweetheart jewelry), its function and just what it represents to Americans and those beyond our borders.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
By its very name, you may think you know what the place is all about.
This shrine to patriotism is a flag-waver, but not in the traditional sense.
We speak with Executive Director Pat Stansbury about the museum, its origins (It was founded by Nicholas Snider, a retired UPS executive who created a large collection of sweetheart jewelry), its function and just what it represents to Americans and those beyond our borders.
At:
http://conversationsontheroad.com
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